Om: 'Advaitic Songs'

Om has always taken the Eastern drone-based ideas originating in their members' previous band Sleep and run with them, farther and farther with each consecutive album. On their fifth, the band has pushed their boundaries so far that it would be a stretch to even call them a metal band anymore. Advaitic Songs (referring to the inclusive, "oneness" aspect of Hindu philosophy) is a hypnotic, organic, meditative record that mostly strips the distortion away to reveal beautiful, introspective long-form tracks that incorporate female chanting vocals, krautrock guitar, a string section, and droning electronics. The result is absorbing, spellbinding, and highly recommended for adventurous ears.